Staff

Wildfires raging across western Canada have contributed to smoky days with no end in sight in the Rainy River District. Residents have dealt with smoky, hazy days for most of a week as the fallout from significant wildfires in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta is felt in the district. According to […]

From the Northwestern Health Unit
Press release

Due to active forest fires, communities in northwestern Ontario may experience smoke in the air and poor air quality. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Forest fire smoke is made up of a mixture of gases and fine particles that can be harmful to your health. You may experience […]

From Riverside Health Care
Press release

Riverside Health Care in conjunction with the Northwestern Health Unit has declared the Gastrointestinal Outbreak affecting the Special Care Unit at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home over. Restrictions are no longer in effect for visitors and residents. Our detailed safety procedures and infection prevention control practices are in place, designed […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

SIOUX LOOKOUT – A recent pay raise for members of Provincial Parliament was unexpected, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa said Friday. “That was a surprise, for sure,” Mamakwa told Newswatch. “I thought they would never do it. “Compensation for MPPs in Ontario has been frozen since 2009. MPP salaries have been […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The Home Depot in Thunder Bay has partnered with Shelter House to raise funds in support of at-risk and homeless youths and has started its annual Orange Door Campaign. From now until June 22, Home Depot customers can donate at the store’s checkout or online at OrangeDoorProject.ca in support of […]

By Marissa Lentz-McGrath
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TimminsToday.com

From Temiskaming Shores to Hearst, real estate along Northern Ontario’s Highway 11 corridor is anything but ordinary. A quick glance at current listings reveals everything from colourful homes and lakeside businesses, to a vacant lot where the only trace of the former house is its standing chimney. In Fauquier-Strickland, a […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

TORONTO – Meaningless and unserious are words Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa uses to describe amendments the Ontario government proposes for its own Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. The controversial bill, which would allow the province to designate “special economic zones” where provincial and municipal laws […]

From the District of Rainy River Services Board
Press release

Over 180+ delegates from across Northern Ontario will gather to address homelessness and strengthen social service delivery in the North Northwestern Ontario DSSABs to Attend Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association Conference in Sault Ste. Marie Over 180+ delegates from across Northern Ontario will gather to address homelessness and strengthen social […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tbnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – By engaging in dialogue with “patience and love” the library’s new senior advisor for Indigenous relations hopes to strengthen the relationship between the library and Indigenous communities in the city. Stephanie MacLaurin has been brought on to work with community partners in achieving the goals in the Thunder Bay Public Library’s relationship-building […]

By Clint Fleury,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – Motorists in the city should be aware of several big road projects that will affect travel around Thunder Bay. A stretch of Cumberland Street North between McVicar Street and Howe Street is now closed to traffic as crews work on capping and removing the existing water main. Brian Newman, City of Thunder Bay project […]

By Nora O’Malley
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tofino, B.C. – Small town whispers about an orca swimming into a fish farm near Tofino are true. On the morning of Feb. 18, 2025 a killer whale swam into the infrastructure at Creative Salmon’s Baxter Islets facility in Clayoquot Sound, states a May 23 email statement from Fisheries and […]